SAN ANTONIO — San Antonio Spurs Coach Gregg Popovich said Sunday that Kawhi Leonard is continuing his injury rehabilitation in New York with his own team of doctors and isn’t sure when “his group” will clear Leonard to play.

“I don’t know when he’s going to feel, he and his group are going to feel like they’re ready to go,” Popovich said. “If I knew, he’d be here. When he and his group feel he’s ready, he’ll be ready.”

Leonard has missed all but nine games this season while nursing right quadriceps tendinopathy, which flared up late in the offseason. He returned briefly but hasn’t played since complaining of soreness in his injured thigh following a Jan. 13 home win against Denver.

Leonard opted to go to New York this week to work with his own team of doctors for the second time this season after first working with them prior to the All-Star break in February. The Spurs’ medical staff has been present for both of Leonard’s extended stays in New York to stay updated on his progress.

Leonard has worked out at the NBA Players Association facility in Manhattan during both of his stays in New York.

Leonard still hopes to return during the regular season, although the Spurs only have five games remaining.

“He’s trying to get well,” Popovich said. “Of course that’s the purpose (of his stay in New York), to get well, that’s what he’s doing. That’s what rehab is. He’s up there going to Broadway shows and everything?”

The Spurs are competing for home-court advantage in the opening round of the playoffs despite injuries to Tony Parker, Manu Ginboli, Rudy Gay, Danny Green and Kyle Anderson as well as Leonard.

Led by LaMarcus Aldridge’s best season with the team, San Antonio is fourth in the tight Western Conference, competing with Minnesota, Oklahoma City, Utah and New Orleans for the final five berths in the conference playoffs.